Entrepreneurs and business owners in Ghana will soon be able to access key business registration and compliance services at selected Universal Merchant Bank branches following a new partnership between the Office of the Registrar of Companies and UMB Bank.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UMB’s head office in Accra to establish ORC service desks within selected bank branches, bringing essential public services closer to businesses while supporting the government’s drive to improve the ease of doing business.
Under the agreement, ORC officers will be stationed at designated UMB branches to provide services including business registration, filing of annual returns, renewals and public education on ORC procedures. Re-registration, liquidation and insolvency services will not be covered under the arrangement.
Registrar of Companies, Maame Samma Peprah, described the partnership as a major milestone in public and private sector collaboration to improve service delivery and encourage more businesses to formalise their operations.
She said the ORC remains committed to becoming a technology driven and customer focused institution that supports enterprise growth, strengthens corporate governance and contributes to Ghana’s economic development.
Mrs Peprah noted that although digital transformation is central to the ORC’s operations, making services more accessible is equally important. She said locating ORC service desks within UMB branches would reduce the need for customers to travel long distances, lowering both the time and cost involved in accessing the office’s services.
She added that strategic partnerships have become essential to effective governance, saying collaborations such as the ORC and UMB initiative improve public service delivery while creating greater value for citizens.
According to her, business formalisation remains one of the strongest drivers of economic growth because registered businesses are better positioned to attract investment, secure financing, build credibility and create sustainable jobs.
She also praised UMB Bank for supporting initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and national development.
UMB Bank Chief Executive Officer Dr Philip Oti Mensah welcomed the partnership and thanked the ORC for embracing the initiative. He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs and pledged continued cooperation to ensure the successful implementation and future expansion of the programme.
The first phase of the initiative will begin at UMB’s Labone, Tema and Kasoa branches, with plans to extend the service to more locations through mutual agreement.
The ORC delegation at the signing included Deputy Registrar Benjamin Zigorsh-Nyakpenu, Director of Administration and General Services Kwesi Owusu-Abrokwa, and Head of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Love Kesewaa Yeboah.
UMB Bank was represented by Chief Operations Officer Justina Stella Laing, Branch Network Head for Greater Accra Division Victoria Attipoe, and other members of the bank’s management team.
The partnership is expected to improve access to business registration services, strengthen compliance, promote business formalisation and contribute to Ghana’s broader economic growth agenda.
